Touro Park has provided a shady oasis for the city of Newport since 1854, when its benefactor Judah Touro purchased the tract of land. The rectangular park encompasses a grassy city block and is crisscrossed with pretty pathways. Check out the park’s collection of monuments and heritage landmarks and spend some time relaxing under the shade of the trees.
Make your way across the 2.2-acre (0.9-hectare) grassy expanse of Touro Park via its intersecting pathways. At the center you’ll find a flagpole standing amid the Norway maple trees, pin oaks, black walnut trees and dogwoods. Take a seat on one of the Victorian-style park benches and take a moment to enjoy the park’s tranquil atmosphere. People-watch or bring a picnic lunch.
Stroll to the park’s western section to see the mysterious structure of the Old Stone Mill, which is also known as Newport Tower. This fascinating fieldstone-and-mortar construction stands 28 feet (8.5 meters) tall and its true age and function remain unknown. Walk beneath its circular arcade of eight pillars and imagine the old tower’s purpose. Some believe it supported a 17th-century windmill, while other theories suppose that the tower was part of a church, baptistery or an Elizabethan horologium.
Check out bronze statues of Newport Commodore Matthew Perry and the Unitarian theologian William Ellery Channing. Look for the Temple Lantern, a gift from the Japanese government that dates back to 1954.
Touro Park is located three blocks east from Newport’s arterial Thames Street. It is a 10-minute walk from the Newport Harbor ferry terminal at Perrotti Park. You can also reach the park via public bus.
While in the area, check out some of the attractions situated adjacent to the park. To the east, you’ll find the Newport Art Museum, while the Channing Memorial Church is located on the park’s southwestern border. The park is within walking distance from historic inns and the dining precinct of Memorial Boulevard. Touro Park is open daily for free.
